Hand covering



' c. P. KRUPP Jan; 15, 1946.

I 'IAND COVERING Filed Oct. 17, v11.942

Patented Jan. 15, 1946 HAND oovEmNG Carroll P. Krupp, Akron, Ohio,assignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N. "Y., a corporationof New York Application October 17, 1942, Serial No.' 462,346

(ci. z -166) 16 Claims.

This invention relates to flexible hand coverings and especially toinflatable gloves suitable, for example, for use by aviators withinflatable suits during flight at high altitudes.

The personnel of the high flying aircraft may be protected against theharmful physiological eiects, such as benda of low pressure and oxygendeficiency by inflatable suits having flexible walls and whichcompletely incase the wearer. Heretofore, it has been difficult tosecure desirable freedom and flexibility of movement of the hands of thewearer of such suits; since the flexible Walls of the hand covering,portions resist bending and flexing when distended through inflation,the inflated article tending to approach a spherical shape.

Objects of the invention are to provide for effectively protecting thehands together with extensive freedom of movement while the covering isinflated, to provide a covering which is flexible and adapted forbending at lines of natural flexure of the palm of the hand, and toprovide for simplicity of construction and convenience and ease ofoperation.

Other objects of my invention are to provide for resisting movement ofthe flexible hand covering away from the palm while permitting bendingof the hand, and to provide for reinforcing the covering at the hingingzone between the finger and the palmar portions.

Specific objects of the invention are to provide for detachablyconnecting a glove to an inflatable suit, to provide for convenience indonning the glove, and to provide for ease of bending the glove, whenunder inflation, while preventing bulging of the dorsal and palmarportions of the same.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the back of a left hand glove constructed inaccordance with and embodying the invention, parts being broken away andin section,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the front of the glove, parts being broken awayand in section,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

In the attainment of the objects of the invention a flexible handcovering I0 or glove is provided, suitable" for use with an inflatablesuit, and which conforms to the surface of the hand without undueoutward bulging While under inflation. The glove Ill is alsomanipulatable without objectionable effort by the wearer, when the handisl bent while performing sundry operations such as manipulating thecontrols of an aircraft.

To these ends, in the arrangement shown in the illustrative embodimentof the invention in Figs. land 2, the hand covering I0 is of flexible,fluid-tight material, such as rubber or other rubber-like material whichmay have a fabric reinforcement or lining. Bracing elements II to I4inclusive, preferably of wire, disposed in a palmar portion l5 of theglove I0 in the manner shown prevent undue outward bulging andmovementvof the flexible material away from the palm while permittingbending of the hand.r

In Figs. 1 and 2 the glove IQ comprises linger 2I to 25, palmar I5,dorsal, I6, and gauntlet I1 portions interconnected in a fluid-tightmanner, and, preferably, so formed that when in normal position, thehand assumes a naturally bent condition thus facilitating furtherbending of the glove by the hand while grasping an oblect. Theseportions may have a stockinet fabric lining I8 and I9 for greaterstrength to resist tear and expansion, when under internal pressure.

For convenience of manufacture the gauntlet portion I1 may be attachedto the other portions I5, I6 of the glove at the wrist or carpal areaIla by an overlapping joint and a suitable adhesive like rubber cement,as shown in Fig. 4. The gauntlet may, for greater strength, be made ofsquare woven fabric coated or impregnated with a rubber or rubber-likematerial and having a stockinet fabric lining I9 adhered thereto as by arubber cement.

,The operation of bending an inflatable glove,

, when distended under internal pressure, is rendered-especially difcultby bulging of the palmar and dorsal portions. My invention providesrfordesirable freedom of manipulation by'means of reinforcing strip elementsII to Ill which prevent objectionable bulging of the palmar and dorsalportions I5 and I6 of the glove I0 and which co-nfine bending of thepalmar portion I5 'to lines of natural exure of the palm of the hand.The reinforcing elements II to I4, preferably of steel wire, aredisposed in the palmar portion I5 at the hinging zone between the finger2| to 25 and palmar I5 portions in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The spaced-apart wires II and I2 extend from the margin of the dorsalportion IE at the radial side of the hand adjacent the secondmetacarpalphalangeal or index finger joint, and along the palmai portionI5 at points corresponding. t0 the second to the fth (little finger)metacarpalphalangeal joints and at points corresponding to the distalthird of the sec-ond to the fifth metacarpal bones of the palm, andv.continue to the margin of the dorsal portion I6 at the ulnar :side ofthe hand adjacent the fifth metacarpalphalangeal joint.

A third wire I3 extends along the dorsal p0rtion I 6 at the radial sideof the hand following the interosseous area between the rst (thumb) andthe second metacarpal-phalangealjoints, and along the palmar portion I5at the base of the thenar eminence of the thumb, and continues to thedorsal portion I6 at the radial side ofthe hand adjacent the rstmetacarpal joint.

For preventing bulging of the hypo-thenar area of the palmar portion I5,it is desirable to provide the wire I4 which is hingedly connected at 28to vthe wire I3 at the base of the thenar eminence in the region of theinterosseous areabetween the rst and the second metacarpal bones ofthehand. This wire I4 extends along the palmar portion I5 diagonally acrossthe hypo-thenar area -of the palm and continues along the dorsal portionI6 to the fifth metacarpal joint at the ulnar side of the hand.

Preferably, the wires I I to I4 are shaped to conform generally to thecontour of the handat the lines of fleXure, before attachment to theglove IIJ. The wires are disposed between a rubber covering V2l) and thefabric lining I8 `of the palmar and dorsal portions I5 and I6 and aresewed as at 29 to the lining, although the wires may be cementedin-place by a rubber cement, for example.

Fabric patches 25 and 21 which are adhered .to

the lining I8 by a suitable adhesive such as rubber 40 cement. preventabrasion of the lining I8 by curved ends IIa, i211, I3a, and VMaof'thewires I I to I4 and by a hinged connection 28 between the wires I3 andI4. Retaining strips 30, 3l 'and Y32 of rubber or rubber-likematerialrare superimposed upon the wires as Ashown in Figs. 1, 2, and4ancl are adhered in place as by a rubber cement.

From the foregoing description, it will beapparent that the arrangementof the bracing wires `II to I4 effectively prevents undue bulging -andmovement of the palmar portion I5 away from the palm of the hand whilepermitting, bending of the hand. These wires also assistin resistingundue bulging of the dorsal portion I6 by virtue of their end portionsbeing disposed in the Amargins ofthe dorsalportion I 6.

Additional resistance to bulging ofthe dorsal portion I6 is provided bya bellows structure V35 which seals and closes a slit 36 in the dorsaland gauntlet Vportions I6 and I'I. Furthermore, the slit and the bellowsstructure permit outward extension of the walls of the glove I0 at thewrist enabling the admittance of the vhand therethrough Whileprovidingfor a snugfit at the wrist I 1a.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, abellows element 31- .of rubber orrubber-like .material 31a :having a stockinet lining 31h and a separable:fastener 38, preferably ofthe slide fastener type, are -attached attheLmargins of the slit 3E by 'a suitable adhesive, such asrubbercement. A reinforcing cover strip 39 of rubber or woven fabriccoated or impregnated with rubber-like .material is superimposed uponthe margins o'f 'the bellows element 31 and the fastener 38 at themargins fof the slit 35, and adhered in position by a rubber inflatablesuitin a manner-such as is disclosed zinmy copending application SerialNo. 445,016.

In donning the glove I0 with the slide fastener .38 being in thedisengaged condition, the hand is Vinserted in the opening 4i) and theglove is drawn toward the elbow, the hand sliding freely through at thewrist or carpal area Ila into position in Vthe palmar, dorsal, andfinger portions I5, IE, 2I

to thereby assuming a naturally bent condition. The slide 'fastener isthen closed by moving a runner 38a. to the position shown in Fig. 1 thuscausing the walls of the glove to snugly llt the wrist of the wearer.The glove I0 is next atvtachedtothe elbow joint mechanism Ail asnotedabove.

When `the `glove IIJ is united with the inatable suit and underinternalpressure, the walls .of the lglove. are distended; neverthelessmanipulation by the wearer is easily accomplished. The yfinger portions2*.I -to 25 may be vflexed `without objectionable resistance; since they-are of relatively small extent as compared to that of the palmar anddorsal vportions I5 and I6.

Maximum freedom -of bending of the palmar portion Yl5 with a minimum ofyeiortis achieved lthrough the disposition of the reinforcing or bracingwires 'I -to i4 vin the palmar Yportion at lines of natural-ilexure ofthe palmof the hand. These wires function to prevent Vundesirablebulging and movement of the palmarportion I5 away from the palm whilepermitting easy bending of vthe hand. Coincidentally, the wires II -to-III -together with the bellows-structure `35 resist Vbulging of the.dorsal portion.

Variations may be made without departing from .the scope of theinvention as vit is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A exible `hand covering .comprising a body including rubber-likematerial yhaving a flexible palmar portion and relatively stiff stripbracing means disposed in the material of said portion at lines ofnatural flexureof thepalm ofthe hand for resisting .movement of said`portion away from the palm while permitting bending of the hand.

2. A flexible hand covering comprising Aa body including rubber-likematerial .having a flexible palmar .portion and elongated metal bracingelements in the materialof said vportion and extending along lines ofnatural flexure of the palm of the hand `for vresisting movement of saidportion away from the ,palm while permitting bending `of the hand.

3. A exible hand covering comprising interconnected nger, dorsal, palmarportions, `and elongated bracing elements disposed in the palmar portionfor resisting `movement of the palmar portion away from the palm of the-hand while .permitting Vbending of the hand, Said elementsextendingalong the -hinging 'zone between the finger and pali-nar portions andcomprising wires, and retaining strips of rubber-like material upon saidwires.

4. A `flexible hand covering comprising interconnected nger, dorsal, andpalmar portions, and strip elements of sti material disposed in thepalmar portion along lines of naturalflexure of the palm of the 'handfor resisting movement of the palmar portion away from the palm Whilepermitting bending of the hand.

5. A flexible hand covering comprising interconnected finger, dorsal,and palmar portions, and strip reinforcing elements of stiff materialdisposed in the palmar lportion for resisting movement of the palmarportion away from the palm of the hand while permitting bending of thehand, said strip elements extending along the hinging zone between thefinger and palmar portions and across the hypo-thenar area of the palmtoward the wrist at the ulnar side of the hand.

6. A flexiblehand covering comprising interconnected fnger and thumb,dorsal, and palmar portions, and strip bracing elements of stiff`material disposed in the palmar portion for resisting movement of thepalmar portion away from the palm of the hand while permitting bendingof the hand, said strip elements extending along themetacarpal-phalangeal joints of the fingers, along the base of thethenar eminence of the thumb, and across the hypo-thenar eminence of thepalm toward the wrist at the ulnar side of the hand.

7. A flexible hand covering comprising interconnected nger and thumb,dorsal, and palmar portions, and strip bracing elements of stilimaterial disposed in the palmar portion for resisting movement of thepalmar portion away from the palm of the hand while permitting bendingof the hand, said strip elements comprising a pair of spaced-apartelements extending along the metalcarpal-phalangeal joints of thefingers, and a bifurcated element extending along the base of the thenareminence of the thumb and diagonally from the interosseous area betweenthe first and second metacarpus across the hypothenar eminence of thepalm in the direction ofV the fifth carpal-metacarpal joint.

8. A flexible hand covering comprising interconnected finger and thumb,dorsal, and palmar portions, and strip bracing elements of stiffmaterial disposed in the palmar portion for resisting movement of thepalmar portion away fi'om the palm of the hand while permitting bendingof the hand, said strip elements comprising a pair of spaced-apartelements each extending along the metacarpal-phalangeal joints of thefingers, a third element extending along the base of the thenar eminenceof the thumb, and a fourth element hingedly connected to said thirdelement in the interosseous area between the first and second metacarpusand extending diagonally across the hypo-thenar area of the palm in thedirection of the fifth carpal-metacarpal joint.

9. A flexible hand covering comprising a flexible palmar portion andreinforcing elements of wire disposed in said portion at lines ofnatural flexure of the palm of the hand for resisting movement of thepalmar portion away from the palm while permitting bending of thev hand.

10. A flexible hand covering comprising interconnected iinger, dorsal,and palmar portions, and reinforcing elements of wire disposed in thepalmar portion for resisting movement of the palmar portion away fromthe palm of the hand while permitting bending of the hand, said elementsextending along the hinging zone between the finger and palmar portionsand diagonally across the hypo-thenar area of the palm toward the wristat the ulnar side of the hand.

11. A flexible hand covering comprising interconnected finger and thumb,dorsal, and palmar portions, and reinforcing elements'of wire disposedin the palmar portion for resisting movement of the palmar portion awayfrom the palm of the hand while permitting bending of the hand, saidreinforcing elements comprising a pair of spaced-apart wires extendingalong the metacarpal-phalangeal joints of the fingers, and a bifurcatedwire extending along the. base of the thenar eminence of the thumb anddiagonally from the interosseous area between the first and secondmetacarpus across the hypo-thenar eminence of the palm in the directionof the fifth carpal-metacarpal joint.

l2. A flexible hand covering comprising interconnected linger and thumb,dorsal, and palmar portions, and reinforcingelements of wire disposed inthe palmar portion for resisting movementof the palmar portion away fromthe palm of the hand while permitting bending of the hand, saidreinforcing elements including a wire extending along themetacarpal-phalangeal joints of the ngers, a wire extending along thebase of the thenar eminence of the thumb, and a wire hingedly connectedto the second said wire at the interosseous area between the rst andsecond metacarpus and extending across the hypo-thenar eminence of thepalm in the direction of the wrist at the ulnar side of the hand.

13. A hand covering for an inflatable suit and capable of manipulationwhen under pressure, said covering comprising interconnected finger,dorsal, and palmar portions of fluid-tight flexible material andterminating in an opening for admitting the hand, elongated reinforcingelements disposed in the palmar portion at lines of natural fiexure ofthe palm of the hand for resisting bulging of the palmar portion whilepermitting bending of the hand, and means for connecting said handcovering at said opening to an arm portion of an inflatable suit.

14. A glove for an inflatable suit and capable of manipulation whenunder pressure, said glove comprising interconnected finger and thumb,dorsal, and palmar portions of fluid-tight, flexible material andterminating in an opening for admitting the hand, bracing elements ofwire disposed in the palmar portion for resisting bulging of the palmarportion while permitting bending of the hand, said bracing elementsincluding a wire extending along the metacarpal-phalangeal joints of thefingers and a bifurcated wire extending along the base of the thenareminence of the thumb and from the interosseous area between the firstand second metacarpus across the hypo-thenar eminence of the palm in thedirection of the wrist to the fifth carpal-metacarpal joint, and meansfor connecting said glove at said opening to an arm portion of aninflatable suit.

15. A glove for an inflatable suit capable of manipulation when underpressure, said glove comprising interconnected finger and thumb, dorsal,palmar, and gauntlet portions of fluidtight, flexible material, thegauntlet portion terminating in an opening in the region of the elbowfor admitting the hand, reinforcing wires disposed in the palmar portionfor resisting bulging of the palmar portion while permitting bending ofthe hand, said wires comprising a pair of spacedapart wires extendingalong the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the fingers, a third wireextending along the base of the thenar eminence of the thumb, and afourth wire hingedly connected to said third wire and extending from theinterosseous area between the first and second metacarpus across thehypo-thenar eminence of the palm of the hand to the fifthcarpal-metacarpal iioint,.and means for-connecting said glove atsaidopeningsto :an arm portion :of an inflatable suit.

16. Aglove for an inflatable sui-t adapted to be manipulatedwhen-underpressure, said glove eomprising interconnected finger andthumb,dorsal, palmar, and gauntlet portions of fluid-tight ilexiblematerial, the gauntlet portion terminating in `an opening at the elbowfor 'admitting the hand, a slotted aperture in the gauntlet and dorsalrpor- Ytions"extending along the gauntlet for facilitating :insertionVand Withdrawal of the hand, a lbellows element secured to the margin ofsaid aperture for sealing the latterandfor stiffening the dorsalportion'against bulging, separable fastener means ,for closing theslotted aperture, reinforcing wires .embracing the radial and ulnarsides of the hand and disposed `in the palmar portion for resistingmovement of the ^palmar portion .away from the palm of the hand while`permitting bending of the :ha-nd, `said Wires comprising a pair of4spacedapart wires extending along rthe metacarpalphalangeal joints ofthe fingers, a v.third Wire extending aiong the base of the thenareminence of the thumb, and a fourth Wire hingedly connected to saidthird wire and extending from the interosseous area between the firstand second metacarpus across the hypo-thenar area of the palm to thefthvcarpal-metacarpal joint, vand an annular means for connecting saidglove at'said opening to an arm portion kof an inatable suit.

CARROLL P. KRUPP.

